The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
Las Vegas has a little bit to offer just about any kind of traveler these days. For visitors seeking the thrills and nightlife the city is so famous for, there are buzzing casino floors, world-class bars, and pulsing nightclubs. Those who travel to Vegas seeking pure indulgence can enjoy high-class shopping, decadent spa treatments, and an extraordinary restaurant scene full of Michelin-starred establishments and celebrity chef projects. And for those who just want to have some carefree fun there are festive pool decks, shows of all kinds, and rides reminiscent of the theme parks of Orlando or southern California.
As much as Vegas has evolved into a dynamic destination with wide appeal though, a lot of us still think of one activity first when imagining a trip there: poker. There may be plenty else to do in the casinos the city is so famous for, but nothing captures our imagination of Vegas quite like the idea of sitting around real poker tables, exchanging cards and stacking chips. In a city packed with expensive attractions, luxury accommodations, and celebrities, the ultimate vision of luxury is that of a well-dressed high-roller with a good set of cards and a heap of chips to play with.
This vision is to some extent a fantasy. The Las Vegas of Frank Sinatra and George Clooney has always been at least a little bit fictionalized. However, there are some ways to get the most out of the Vegas poker scene such that you truly feel like you’ve dived into this luxurious and playful fantasy.
You can play poker just about anywhere in Las Vegas — or at least it can feel that way when you’re exploring casino floors. This makes the game extremely accessible, and is particularly handy for beginning players, or those looking for low-stakes games with cheaper buy-ins. If you’re looking for that high-roller vibe though, it’s worth seeking out the best poker rooms Vegas has to offer. The Aria is one of the city’s sleekest and most modern resorts, and has a poker room to match its general vibe; the room at the Wynn Encore is about as picturesque as they come, and tends to attract high-level players as a result; and the Bellagio ranks among the world’s most famous establishments for poker. These and a few other rooms will give you the kind of poker experience cinema has taught you to dream of.
While poker tables are still extremely prevalent in Las Vegas, these days you’ll find at least as many video counterparts. In fact, we’d expect the number of video poker machines to be on the rise as well. Vegas is embracing video games, both in that it’s becoming an eSports hub and in that there have been some early hints of ordinary video games being spun into gambling activities. Along with these trends it’s likely we’ll see more innovation in video poker, and more options for players. These games are a lot of fun, and some may find them less intimidating than the actual poker tables. If you’re looking for that special high-roller vibe though, you won’t find it at a machine. Use video poker to hone your game, and get the real experience at a table.
This point sort of sums itself up. But it’s important to note that plenty of Vegas casinos are pretty casual these days. In part because the World Series Of Poker has popularized the image of high-level players in everyday attire, and in part because (some would argue) we’ve simply gotten more casual as a society, it’s typically not necessary to be dressed up to play cards. And in fact, if you’re too dressed up (tuxedo, expensive evening gown, etc.), you’ll look out of place at anything but an exclusive, private table. However, a proper outfit for an evening out — say, what you’d wear to a nice restaurant — is still very much appropriate. In an almost inexplicable way, it actually adds to the experience.
Las Vegas is well known for serving up complimentary drinks at its casinos — or at least at some of them. The idea is that so long as guests are playing games, drinks are on the house. And naturally, if we’re being honest about it, this leads some guests to treat the casinos more as open bars than as gaming establishments. To each his own, but if you’re in it for a memorable poker experience, remember to focus on the games! Having a cocktail in hand can certainly enhance the experience, and make you feel all the more like a Hollywood star from your favorite poker film. But it’s best not to get carried away with what are billed as free drinks, lest you reimburse the casino for them and then some with sloppier play at the tables.
Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be in for an authentic poker experience in the casino capital of the world. Vegas is a lot of things these days, and as a result there’s much less emphasis on that classic image of well-dressed visitors playing poker and sipping cocktails. The tables are still there though, and in the right room under the right circumstances you can still enjoy a luxury experience right out of Hollywood.
